Resuming Normal Programming

The Lantana in the Front Garden is Thriving

I started working (from home), again, today, after being off over the holidays.  Starting work always signals the end of holidays to me.  Back when I was going to school in Sri Lanka, the new school year always began in January (and ended in December), so there were lots of new beginnings associated with the new year: new uniforms, new books and school supplies, new classroom, new teacher, new classmates, etc.  No new office supplies for me (my new appointment planner is waiting for me at the office, though); however, I received a new project to work on, which is always welcome (as it means I have work to do!)  I spent my work day working on finishing up the current project and downloading files for the new project.

I did take a short lunch break during which I managed to wash a load of dishes in the dishwasher!  Yes, I managed to get the knob, which had been stuck in place for weeks, to turn!  I am thinking that something dripped down from the counter and dried in place around the knob, because something made me run the edge of my fingernail around the knob, today, and it loosened the knob so I could turn it!  I didn't see anything stuck around the knob, so I've no idea what it could have been, though.  Anyway, the dishwasher works again!  Maybe it just needed a rest!  :D  I handwashed the pots and pans, though, and the few fragile items I won't wash in the dishwasher (my tea cups, etc.)

After I finished my office work, I brought the trash can in from the curb and went for a short walk, a couple of times up and down the block in front of my house.  Yesterday, I had gone for a slightly longer walk, a couple of times around the block, but today, it was drizzling and I didn't want to walk in the rain.

Daughter and I spent a quiet New Year's Day relaxing at home.  On Monday, one of my friends called and stopped by for a visit.  She went with me to the airport to drop daughter off and then, I dropped her off at the bus stop since she planned to go to the mall to do some shopping.  I came home and packed up the leftover love cake (I sent about a third of the tray back with daughter, along with some rice, roast beef, and a few other items from the freezer; we gave away some of the cake to one of daughter's friends and there are more pieces kept aside to give to several other friends; the rest will be frozen for later).  Daughter had forgotten her umbrella at home, so she went to a drugstore once she got off the subway in Berkeley and bought a new umbrella as well as her monthly bus pass.  She needed the umbrella as it was raining in Berkeley when she arrived.  We spent the evening video chatting!  :D

Yesterday, I had the day off from work, so I just took it easy and relaxed.  I called my neighbor who was recently widowed and checked on her; I called one of my cousins and wished her for her birthday; chatted on the phone with one of my aunts while her daughter contributed to the conversation from time to time in the background; I chatted with another of my cousins; and one of my friends called to check on me.  So, lots of activity on the friends and family segments of my balanced life goals.  Later in the afternoon, I went for a walk around my block a couple of times, so approximately 25 minutes of fresh air and exercise.  Plus I've been drinking my 8 cups of water.  So, paying attention to the health goals, too.

Today, I listened to some music as I waited for work files to download; I played the piano and sang a few songs, so I am taking time to do some of the things I listed on my New Year joy list and as leisure activities in my balanced life goals.  I also emailed a friend I haven't heard from in awhile, I exchanged emails with another friend (we have been exchanging almost daily emails for several years), received an email and a card from a niece, and of course, video chatted with my daughter. 

On the financial front, the first four days of the New Year have been "no spend" days.  I don't really plan "no spend" days; it's just that I haven't needed to buy anything, yet.  I do plan on spending some money before the week is over, because I need to put gas to the car and I want to buy a few groceries.  I am planning to eat from the abundance that is my freezer and pantry as much as I can, this month, but I need to buy some fresh produce, bread, eggs, etc.

Today, I am grateful for the following blessings:
- Continued employment and a new work assignment - my job enables me to support myself, gives me health care benefits, and so much more.
- Being able to work from home for this week, as well; gives me a few more days to get myself organized to return to the office.
- My dishwasher is working again!  Nothing was wrong with it, except a stuck in place knob!
- Keeping in touch with daughter, family, and friends.
- More rain for the garden!  I heard on the news that we're now at normal rain fall for this time of the year!  Maybe the drought is finally over?  It has been raining steadily all evening and more is expected in the forecast.

I really didn't write down a to do list for today, but here's one for Thursday:

- Office work - call supervisor; answer emails; start working on new assignment
- Empty dish washer/put away dishes and baking trays
- Wipe kitchen counters
- Sweep kitchen floor/mop
- Mail the last of the greeting cards
- Call health benefits re. new insurance cards (haven't received them yet and I need them to get refills on my prescriptions!)
- Clean the litter box
- Start taking down some of the holiday decorations

How was your day?  Are you able to ease back into the regular routines after the holidays?  Or are you finding it difficult to resume regular programming?